Kenya expects to enhance ties with Nigeria's new gov't: president

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday congratulated Nigeria's Muhammadu Buhari for winning the presidential election, and expressed his willingness to enhance the bilateral ties.

In his message, Kenyatta said the election of Buhari has shown Nigerians' faith and trust in Buhari's leadership and vision.

He expressed hope that relations between Kenya and Nigeria would be further strengthened to "promote aspirations of the citizens of the two countries and the African continent at large."

Kenyatta also commended the outgoing Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat.

"This demonstrates a lot of humility and an indication that democracy has come of age in Nigeria and the African continent," Kenyatta said, noting Jonathan's move will earn him a place as "an eminent African."

Kenyatta thanked Jonathan for his efforts to promote fruitful engagements between Kenya and Nigeria during his tenure, which he said enabled the deepening of bilateral relations.

Jonathan lost to Buhari by about 2.5 million votes.

Buhari, of Nigeria's All Progressives Congress, has been officially declared president-elect on Wednesday, the first time in Nigeria's history that an opposition candidate wins the presidential election. Endi